“Competing in Business, United in Faith: God-Centered Leadership with Sam Pappas & Marty Hepp”
In a marketplace where rivalry often overshadows relationship and competition can quietly erode connection, two leaders stand out as powerful reminders of what God can do when His people put the Kingdom first. In an industry known for high stakes, intense bidding, and constant pressure to outperform, Sam Pappas and Marty Hepp have chosen a different path — one marked by integrity, honor, and a deeply rooted biblical worldview.
Rather than allowing business competition to create distance or distrust, they have cultivated a genuine, Christ-centered friendship that has strengthened not only their personal lives but the cultures of their organizations. Their relationship is a testimony to the truth that when leaders place faith above profit and people above position, competition becomes secondary to calling.
Sam and Marty demonstrate that it is fully possible — and profoundly powerful — to run thriving, influential companies while still cheering on a brother in Christ across the street. Their story shows how Kingdom leadership transforms not just workplaces, but hearts, revealing a way of doing business that honors God, elevates others, and stands as a witness to the world.
A Kingdom-Centered Friendship in a Competitive Field
While Sam and Marty lead their respective civil engineering firms — companies that operate in the same industry and sometimes compete for business — their relationship is a testament to the truth Jesus taught in John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Their friendship models kingdom values over competition. Instead of rivalry dividing them, their shared commitment to Christ unites them in purpose and mutual encouragement.
Their involvement with CBMC — an organization focused on helping men integrate their faith with their work, build disciples, and lead like Christ in the marketplace — has been instrumental in shaping how they lead and relate to others across industries.
As leaders, they demonstrate that:
Faith shapes culture: Both men strive to embed biblical principles into daily business practices, showing that honoring God in the workplace isn’t just an aspiration — it’s a lived reality.
Relationships matter: Their friendship underscores the importance of spiritual community, accountability, and mentoring — especially in competitive fields.
Business can be ministry: For Sam and Marty, business is not just about profit or position; it’s about people, purpose, and proclaiming Christ through actions, service, and leadership.